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Kingery to Receive SGA's Kirkpatrick Excellence in Governance Award

Contact: Mike Greife
WARRENSBURG, MO (March 4, 2009) – Honoring his commitment to Missourians and his role in state government,UCM’s Student Government Association will present Rep. Gayle Kingery, Republican representative from the 154th House District from Poplar Bluff, with the 2009 James C. Kirkpatrick Excellence in Governance Award.

Rep. Gayle Kingery

Award Presentation Part of 10th Anniversary Celebration

Kingery will become the 24rd recipient of the annual award at 8 p.m. Friday, March 27 in the first floor reading area of the UCM James C. Kirkpatrick Library. Prior to the presentation, the public is invited to attend a dessert reception at 7 p.m. in the library, hosted by UCM Library Services, the UCM Alumni Association and the UCM Student Government Association. Those planning to attend should RSVP to the UCM Office of Alumni Relations at 660-543-8000 by March 20.

The reception and presentation will be part of the week-long celebration of the 10th anniversary of the library.

Serves on House Education Committees

Elected to the House in November 2002, Rep. Kingery represents part of Butler County. He currently chairs the Higher Education Committee and serves on the Elementary and Secondary Education, Education Appropriations and State Parks and Waterways committees and the Joint Committee on Education. He was named a commissioner on the Midwestern Higher Education Compact in February 2005.

A retired educator, Rep. Kingery spent three years as a teacher and coach in Jackson, Mo., and 30 years as a teacher, coach and administrator in Poplar Bluff. He served in the United States Air Force from 1961 to 1965, with a tour in Vietnam from 1963 to 1964.

A native of Harviell, Mo., Kingery is a graduate of Poplar Bluff High School and received a Bachelor of Science in Education degree from Southeast Missouri State University in 1966. He lives in Poplar Bluff with his wife, Bette Jolene. They have five childrenand three grandchildren.

Recognizing Contributions to Quality Government

Since 1986, the SGA has presented the Excellence in Governance award to individuals who have significantly contributed to excellent government. The SGA Internal Issues Committee selects the recipient from nominees who promote good governmental procedures, efficiency and economy in government, and policies that are in the public’s best interest.

The award is named for the late James C. Kirkpatrick, the UCM alumnus who served 20 years as Missouri's Secretary of State. Past recipients of the award include Gov. Mel Carnahan, Gov. Matt Blunt, State Representative Deleta Williams, Sen. Claire McCaskill, Gov. Jay Nixon, Secretary of State Robin Carnahan and State Senator David Pearce.